New Delhi: For the first time, Indian private firms can bid for making artillery guns. An Indian Express report says at the last meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the Ministry of Defence decided to allow Indian private entities to participate in a bid for making artillery guns.

In the past, private firms have made ancillary equipment for the Pinaka missile.

It is learnt that while approving the Army's proposal for upgunning of 300 more 130 mm M-46 field guns to a 155 mm gun system, the DAC on April 2 also decided that the request for proposal (RFP) would also go to interested private players. The Ordnance Factory Board, which used to automatically get these orders, will now be one of the contestants, says the newspaper report.

This is the first time that private firms will be allowed to participate in a bid for making artillery guns.